Here are 79 books that Jabari Tries fans have personally recommended if you like Jabari Tries. Book DNA is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of I Can Do Hard Things: Mindful Affirmations for Kids

Candicee Childs Author Of Cece's Sweet and Sour Journey to Medical School

From my list on growth mindset and resilience in children.

Why am I passionate about this?

As someone working in psychiatry, I see how helping children embrace challenges builds real resilience. When kids learn to persist through difficulty, it supports their mental health, school performance, and social growth, while giving them tools to handle adversity. The good news is that resilience and a growth mindset can be developed—and storytelling is one of the most effective ways to do this. Through books, children watch characters struggle, adapt, and grow, learning that challenges are a natural part of life.

Here are some favorite picture books that promote perseverance, creativity, and determination—showing kids that mistakes and effort are essential to achieving big dreams.

Candicee's book list on growth mindset and resilience in children

Candicee Childs Why Candicee loves this book

This is a wonderful book filled with positive affirmations that children can use to encourage themselves during difficult moments. It helps kids face doubts and insecurities with empowering self-talk.

Through different challenging situations, the book introduces affirmations that remind children to believe in themselves and trust that they are capable of doing hard things. It is a beautiful resource for helping children build confidence and emotional resilience.

By Gabi Garcia , Charity Russell (illustrator) ,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked I Can Do Hard Things as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 5, 6, 7, and 8.

What is this book about?

What kids tell themselves matters!  It becomes their inner voice. It can help them connect with their power within.

Mindful affirmations can help children tune out the streams of messages they get about how they should be in the world so they can listen to their own inner voice. Children can learn to tap into their inner strength and find the encouragement they need.

I Can Do Hard Things reflects the beautiful diversity and connection in our world. A wonderful addition to your home or school library.


If you love Jabari Tries...

Book cover of Cinderelliot: A Scrumptious Fairytale

Cinderelliot by Mark Ceilley,

A gay retelling of the classic fairy tale--a scrumptious love story featuring ungrateful stepsiblings, a bake-off, and a fairy godfather.

Cinderelliot is stuck at home taking care of his ungrateful stepsister and stepbrother. When Prince Samuel announces a kingdom-wide competition to join the royal staff as his baker, the stepsiblings…

Book cover of The Most Magnificent Thing

Candicee Childs Author Of Cece's Sweet and Sour Journey to Medical School

From my list on growth mindset and resilience in children.

Why am I passionate about this?

As someone working in psychiatry, I see how helping children embrace challenges builds real resilience. When kids learn to persist through difficulty, it supports their mental health, school performance, and social growth, while giving them tools to handle adversity. The good news is that resilience and a growth mindset can be developed—and storytelling is one of the most effective ways to do this. Through books, children watch characters struggle, adapt, and grow, learning that challenges are a natural part of life.

Here are some favorite picture books that promote perseverance, creativity, and determination—showing kids that mistakes and effort are essential to achieving big dreams.

Candicee's book list on growth mindset and resilience in children

Candicee Childs Why Candicee loves this book

This is such a wonderful read for children, especially when they have ever felt frustrated or upset when something they tried didn’t work out.

The story beautifully shows that frustration and failure are normal parts of the creative and learning process. 

In the book, a young girl sets out to build the most magnificent thing. Along the way, she fails again and again. However, through persistence, reflection, and creativity, she eventually succeeds. It’s a powerful reminder for young learners that big dreams often require patience and perseverance.

By Ashley Spires ,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked The Most Magnificent Thing as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Award-winning author and illustrator Ashley Spires has created a charming picture book about an unnamed girl and her very best friend, who happens to be a dog.

The girl has a wonderful idea. “She is going to make the most MAGNIFICENT thing! She knows just how it will look. She knows just how it will work. All she has to do is make it, and she makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!” But making her magnificent thing is anything but easy, and the girl tries and fails, repeatedly. Eventually, the girl gets really, really mad. She is so mad, in…


Book cover of Mae Among the Stars

Mary Cay Ricci Author Of Nothing You Can't Do!: The Secret Power of Growth Mindsets

From my list on help kids develop stick-to-itiveness.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a mom and life-long educator who has often scratched my head and wondered why kids give up so easily when things become a little challenging. I learned about fixed and growth mindset principles and decided to apply them to an education setting. What I realized during this time is that both adults and kids give up too easily and demonstrate fixed mindset thinking way too often! As a result, I wrote a few books for teachers, parents, and kids about ways to develop a growth mindset! I am sharing some of my favorite books that can be a catalyst for discussing resiliency and perseverance with the kids in our life!

Mary Cay's book list on help kids develop stick-to-itiveness

Mary Cay Ricci Why Mary Cay loves this book

“If you can dream it, if you believe it and work hard for it, anything is possible.” This passage is why I absolutely love this book. This is repeated several times throughout this beautiful picture book that is based on the life of astronaut, Dr. Mae Jemison. Mae’s parents were very supportive of her dream of going to space, but Mae’s teacher suggested that perhaps she become a nurse rather than an astronaut. She proved her wrong! Mae also became a doctor, a Peace Corp medical officer, and the first Black female astronaut. Mae is definitely among the stars!

By Roda Ahmed , Stasia Burrington (illustrator) ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Mae Among the Stars as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

A beautiful picture book for sharing and marking special occasions such as graduation, inspired by the life of the first African American woman to travel in space, Mae Jemison. An Amazon Best Book of the Month!

A great classroom and bedtime read-aloud, Mae Among the Stars is the perfect book for young readers who have big dreams and even bigger hearts.

When Little Mae was a child, she dreamed of dancing in space. She imagined herself surrounded by billions of stars, floating, gliding, and discovering.

She wanted to be an astronaut.

Her mom told her, "If you believe it, and…


If you love Gaia Cornwall...

Book cover of One Giant Leap

One Giant Leap by Ben Gartner,

I’m pretty sure I’m about to die in space. And I just turned twelve and a half.

Blast off with the four winners of the StellarKid Project on a trip to the International Space Station and then to the Gateway outpost orbiting the Moon! It’s a dream come true until…

Book cover of Song for a Whale

María José Fitzgerald Author Of Turtles of the Midnight Moon

From my list on animal and nature-loving-empaths who are curious.

Why am I passionate about this?

Growing up near the outskirts of a lush Honduran cloud forest, I remember searching for magic in the woods, a fairy behind the waterfall, and an emerald quetzal bird in the canopy. I have always been a lover of nature, ecology, and wildlife, and I appreciate how each of these five books speaks to the passion that I have for ecology in a unique way. From fantastical rabbits to hidden systems we all rely on, to turtles and whales and the entire animal kingdom, these books will resonate with those of us who believe that we each have a place in our interconnected planet.

Maria's book list on animal and nature-loving-empaths who are curious

María José Fitzgerald Why Maria loves this book

As someone who has always connected with animals, wild and domesticated, Song for a Whale was a story I could not put down.

Lynne Kelly’s middle grade novel about a deaf girl determined to help a whale who cannot communicate with its family is full of heart and compassion, and it kept me on my toes until the very end. I love stories with brave, unique, and realistic protagonists, and Iris was all of these things.

I appreciated the deaf representation, and the theme of family that is woven so beautifully into the plot. I could picture the whale, Blue 55, so perfectly, and the short chapters in the whale’s POV were the cherry on top of an already lovely story of courage and connection. 

By Lynne Kelly ,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Song for a Whale as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

A stirring and heart-warming tale of a young deaf girl who is determined to make a difference, the perfect read for fans of Wonder.

Iris was born deaf, but she's never let that define her; after all, it's the only life she's ever known. And until recently she wasn't even very lonely, because her grandparents are both deaf, too. But Grandpa has just died and Grandma's not the same without him. The only place Iris really feels at home anymore is in her electronics workshop where she loves taking apart antique radios.

Then, during a science lesson about sound waves,…


Book cover of The Thing Lou Couldn't Do

Mary Cay Ricci Author Of Nothing You Can't Do!: The Secret Power of Growth Mindsets

From my list on help kids develop stick-to-itiveness.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a mom and life-long educator who has often scratched my head and wondered why kids give up so easily when things become a little challenging. I learned about fixed and growth mindset principles and decided to apply them to an education setting. What I realized during this time is that both adults and kids give up too easily and demonstrate fixed mindset thinking way too often! As a result, I wrote a few books for teachers, parents, and kids about ways to develop a growth mindset! I am sharing some of my favorite books that can be a catalyst for discussing resiliency and perseverance with the kids in our life!

Mary Cay's book list on help kids develop stick-to-itiveness

Mary Cay Ricci Why Mary Cay loves this book

One of the reasons that I love this book is because it doesn’t end with success. It ends with a “not yet” and maybe I will be back tomorrow to try again. That is what life is about-we don’t always have success, but we can persevere and try new things without always succeeding. Lou and her friends have great imaginations when they are playing and they decide to climb a tree and pretend it is a pirate ship. The challenge is that Lou has never climbed a tree before. Her excuses are funny: “The cat needs a walk,” “I stepped on a slug and his funeral is in 5 minutes,” and the one many of us recognize, “My tummy hurts.” She thinks of lots of ways to get up the tree without climbing - but they don’t work. She finally tries, gets a few feet up, and falls. She decides…

By Ashley Spires ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Thing Lou Couldn't Do as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

An endearing story about a little girl who doesn’t think she can.

“Up there! The tree can be our ship!” one of Lou’s friends exclaims when they decide to play pirates. “Ummm …” responds Lou. Usually she loves adventures. But this is new. Lou has never climbed a tree before. And she knows she can’t do it. She doesn’t even want to try.

But this adventure does look fun, and when all her excuses run out, Lou realizes the bravest adventurers are those who TRY. An inspiring lesson for anyone who’s ever avoided something hard.


Book cover of Walk On! A Guide for Babies of All Ages

Mary Cay Ricci Author Of Nothing You Can't Do!: The Secret Power of Growth Mindsets

From my list on help kids develop stick-to-itiveness.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a mom and life-long educator who has often scratched my head and wondered why kids give up so easily when things become a little challenging. I learned about fixed and growth mindset principles and decided to apply them to an education setting. What I realized during this time is that both adults and kids give up too easily and demonstrate fixed mindset thinking way too often! As a result, I wrote a few books for teachers, parents, and kids about ways to develop a growth mindset! I am sharing some of my favorite books that can be a catalyst for discussing resiliency and perseverance with the kids in our life!

Mary Cay's book list on help kids develop stick-to-itiveness

Mary Cay Ricci Why Mary Cay loves this book

At first glance, this appears to be a picture book about a baby learning to walk...but oh no...it is much more than that! It is a book about learning how to do anything - and a great book for adult learners (an excellent graduation gift as well). In this book, the baby has to face the following as they are learning to walk: support (sometimes what you think will support you, won’t), looking out for things that are fragile, pulling yourself up, and being ok if your knees buckle. Grip and pull yourself up, then find your balance. Remember to breathe, feel the sway, and let go. It’s common to fall down, are your socks bunching up? Shoes too tight? Diaper weighing you down? (Fix things before you start.) Make sure your path is clear of obstacles and expect some rough patches. Look toward where you want to…

By Marla Frazee ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Walk On! A Guide for Babies of All Ages as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Trying something new is never easy.Like walking, for instance.But aren't you sick of sitting on your bottom day in and day out? Hasn't lying around all the time become a little bit boring? This handy guide, both practical and inspirational, is here to help.With useful tips, common pitfalls, and Marla Frazee's adorable illustrations, this book is perfect for anyone--from a baby to a graduate to a grown-up--who's about to take a scary first step.


If you love Jabari Tries...

Book cover of Floretta

Floretta by Joan Budilovsky,

Floretta- the story of an old woman who discovers life beautifully anew thru the helping hands of a child. The chakra colors of dawn and twilight are woven through the pages as the cycle of life is magically composed. The subject of “heaven,” has the potential to open discussions with…

Book cover of The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes

Candicee Childs Author Of Cece's Sweet and Sour Journey to Medical School

From my list on growth mindset and resilience in children.

Why am I passionate about this?

As someone working in psychiatry, I see how helping children embrace challenges builds real resilience. When kids learn to persist through difficulty, it supports their mental health, school performance, and social growth, while giving them tools to handle adversity. The good news is that resilience and a growth mindset can be developed—and storytelling is one of the most effective ways to do this. Through books, children watch characters struggle, adapt, and grow, learning that challenges are a natural part of life.

Here are some favorite picture books that promote perseverance, creativity, and determination—showing kids that mistakes and effort are essential to achieving big dreams.

Candicee's book list on growth mindset and resilience in children

Candicee Childs Why Candicee loves this book

This book is such a fun read and highlights the power of learning from mistakes—even for adults!

The story follows a girl who is famous for never making mistakes. But when she finally makes one big mistake, her reaction becomes the best part of the story—she laughs.

This moment teaches an important lesson: everyone makes mistakes, and mistakes are part of learning and growing. The book encourages children to let go of perfectionism and embrace trial and error as a natural part of trying new things.

By Mark Pett , Gary Rubinstein ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Every student, teacher, and perfectionist needs to read this book about learning and growing from your mistakes! The perfect introduction to growth mindset, The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes is:

A growth mindset book for kids
A teacher must-have for classrooms
An educational book for ages 4-8 (and for everyone learning growth mindset!)

Beatrice Bottomwell has NEVER (not once!) made a mistake. She never forgets her math homework, she never wears mismatched socks, and she ALWAYS wins the yearly talent show at school. In fact, the entire town calls her The Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes!

One day, the inevitable…


Book cover of She Persisted

Candicee Childs Author Of Cece's Sweet and Sour Journey to Medical School

From my list on growth mindset and resilience in children.

Why am I passionate about this?

As someone working in psychiatry, I see how helping children embrace challenges builds real resilience. When kids learn to persist through difficulty, it supports their mental health, school performance, and social growth, while giving them tools to handle adversity. The good news is that resilience and a growth mindset can be developed—and storytelling is one of the most effective ways to do this. Through books, children watch characters struggle, adapt, and grow, learning that challenges are a natural part of life.

Here are some favorite picture books that promote perseverance, creativity, and determination—showing kids that mistakes and effort are essential to achieving big dreams.

Candicee's book list on growth mindset and resilience in children

Candicee Childs Why Candicee loves this book

This is an incredible story that shares with children the power of persisting through challenges to reach their goals.

It highlights 13 women in American history, including Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Clara Lemlich, Nellie Bly, Virginia Apgar, and others. I was left feeling empowered, as the story reminds readers that no matter what obstacles they encounter, they can overcome them and should never give up on their dreams.

By Chelsea Clinton , Alexandra Boiger (illustrator) ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked She Persisted as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Chelsea Clinton introduces tiny feminists, mini activists and little kids who are ready to take on the world to thirteen inspirational women who never took no for an answer, and who always, inevitably and without fail, persisted.

Throughout United States history, there have always been women who have spoken out for what's right, even when they have to fight to be heard. In this book, Chelsea Clinton celebrates thirteen American women who helped shape our country through their tenacity, sometimes through speaking out, sometimes by staying seated, sometimes by captivating an audience. They all certainly persisted.

She Persisted is for…


Book cover of AntiPatterns: Refactoring Software, Architectures, and Projects in Crisis

Karl Wiegers Author Of Software Development Pearls: Lessons from Fifty Years of Software Experience

From my list on lessons about software development.

Why am I passionate about this?

I first learned to program in college in 1970. Since then I’ve spent much time as a software developer, manager, tester, process improvement leader, consultant, trainer, author, and, of course, a user. I quickly learned that I didn’t have time to make all the mistakes that every software developer before me had already made. My training and writing career has involved sharing what I and others have learned with audiences to help them quickly become more effective software development team members, regardless of their project role. This book distills insights and observations both from my own experience and from what I’ve heard from thousands of students and consulting clients.

Karl's book list on lessons about software development

Karl Wiegers Why Karl loves this book

Most books about lessons learned and good practices tell you what you ought to be doing. AntiPatterns warns you about things you should not be doing. It points out a wide range of software project approaches that the authors believe are not advisable. The antipatterns have whimsical titles such as Poltergeists, Golden Hammer, Spaghetti Code, Stovepipe System, and Design by Committee. Each pattern describes the symptoms, causes, and consequences of that particular behavior, as well as offering a restructured approach that’s likely to yield better results. As with other lessons-learned books, this book lets you learn from the pain suffered by others to avoid stepping into the same traps on your own projects.

By William J. Brown , Raphael C. Malveau , Hays W. "Skip" McCormick III , Thomas J. Mowbray

Why should I read it?

1 author picked AntiPatterns as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"The AntiPatterns authors have clearly been there and done that when it comes to managing software development efforts. I resonated with one insight after another, having witnessed too many wayward projects myself. The experience in this book is palpable." -John Vlissides, IBM Research "This book allows managers, architects, and developers to learn from the painful mistakes of others. The high-level AntiPatterns on software architecture are a particularly valuable contribution to software engineering. Highly recommended!" -Kyle Brown Author of The Design Patterns Smalltalk Companion "AntiPatterns continues the trend started in Design Patterns. The authors have discovered and named common problem situations…


If you love Gaia Cornwall...

Book cover of A Foot is Not a Fish!

A Foot is Not a Fish! by Cornelia Maude Spelman,

In a time of alternative facts and the loss of a shared sense of reality, A Foot is Not a Fish playfully illustrates the difference between what is true and what is not through absurd fun comparisons that every child—and parent—will instantly understand.

This book playfully illustrates common truths by…

Book cover of There's a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem

Luminita D. Saviuc Author Of 15 Things You Should Give Up to Be Happy: An Inspiring Guide to Discovering Effortless Joy

From my list on mental, emotional, and spiritual healing.

Why am I passionate about this?

Raised in a fearful and toxic environment where love was completely absent and terror was always at home, I had to learn to let go of my many programs, fears, and traumas so that I could avoid making the mistake of thinking and believing that the story of my past was going to become the story of my life. Through a long journey of letting go, getting lost in order to be found, I realized that who I Am, and who we all are, is far greater and far nobler than what we are programmed to believe. And now my mission is to teach people from all over the world how to let go so they can thrive.

Luminita's book list on mental, emotional, and spiritual healing

Luminita D. Saviuc Why Luminita loves this book

Imagine being able to feel a peace so deep that you never knew existed; a love so profound that it transforms you and your whole life… Well, by reading the wonderful words of Dr. Wayne Dyer and by following his wise guidance, you will get to experience all of that and even more. In fact, at the end of the book you will have this profound feeling that you no longer are the same person you were when you first started reading this book and that you have become better, wiser, more peaceful, and far more loving and trusting than you used to be.

By Wayne W. Dyer ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked There's a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In this inspiring new program, bestselling author Wayne W. Dyer shows us that there is an omnipresent spiritual force right at our fingertips that contains the solution to our problems -- from ill health, to financial worries, to relationship difficulties. Drawing from various spiritual traditions, especially from the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, Dyer helps us unplug from the material world and awaken to the divine within.


Book cover of I Can Do Hard Things: Mindful Affirmations for Kids
Book cover of The Most Magnificent Thing
Book cover of Mae Among the Stars

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